Get around this blocking problem by downloading a popular VPN. I normally use Tunnel Bear, but had issues accessing blocked sites.

That’s what brought me to VPN Express, it’s actually designed specifically for use in China and worked fantastically well for both my smartphone and laptop.

Was extremely easy to set up and activate. Super awesome and I could happily connect to all the blocked sites and share content of my trip.

Happy days!

6. Hot water. No cold water, get used to it.

(China loves hot water!)

Even at fancy restaurants you will struggle to negotiate bottled or cold water.

The Chinese love tea and hot water.

It’s not very common to have water with a meal, unless it’s hot.

Best to bring your own bottled water when eating out which places don’t mind at all.

Otherwise you will be negotiating for ages like a Chinese tourist in London trying to get green tea with your meal (Funny when it’s the other way around).

7. hhhhhhawwwwwkkkkkkkk Spit Ball!

Gross! Get used to it, this is China!

Almost every minute you will hear a local from China creating a vortex of spit in their gob before projecting it out onto the kerb.

It’s horrible and I was warned about this prior to going to China, just have to get used to it.

Funny because now all those “Please, no spitting here” signs around Singapore now start to make sense. Oh China!

8. Language will be an issue, be prepared.

(Lost in translation, Hubub? Oh China)

It will be a difficult challenge to find a local who speaks English in China. Well after all, you are in China!

In many cases not even hotel staff may be able to help you.

Best to be prepared for these type of situations.

Before you depart for China, download a translation app or bring a translation book.

Funny enough sometimes the signs don’t even make sense!

If you can travel with someone who at least speaks the local language, such as a guide this will really work wonders for your trip as many situations ended up being confusing, very funny I might add, but confusing.

And hey! If you really loved learning the local language and want to learn more, China is always on the look out for English teachers! (What an adventure!) You can check out how on my friends Richelle blog, Adventure around Asia, Guide to teaching in China.

9. Don’t ask what you’re eating, just eat it.

(Anyone fancy a nice refreshing can of bean soup?)

Funny enough many dishes in China are good for women’s health, the more odd the item is, the more wisdom it will contain (Magic!).

I learned that it’s best to eat first, then ask later or you might remain hungry after every meal.

Once the meal was interesting as we later on discovered that the establishment we was eating in was a vegetarian restaurant only after we had finished the meal.

Yep, even the vegetables taste like chicken.

This is China! Enjoy and embrace its differences and have fun with enjoying all the different foods, its a great laugh.

But China pretty much has all the same stuff any way, just with a dab of China of course:

(Snickers, same same)(Beer with a refreshing dab of Pineapple? )(KFC apparently is very popular!)(Cucumber flavour? Really??)

10. My most important tip about China.

(This guy! Taking my photo on the side of the road!)

Chinese locals are super friendly!

I first heard horror stories about how the locals where mean and not friendly towards tourists, this was simply not the case.

I found China to be a very friendly place with locals more interested in what you’re doing there.

Embrace your visit to China, take photos on every occasion, learn a few basic words to allow a connection and a smile, randomly hold babies for selfies and be prepared for friendly nods and smiles.

China is awesome and you have to take it for what it is.

After all, this is China!

Thank you for reading my blog post about China.

Thank you for reading my post about China, I hope you took a lot of great tips away and I do wish you a wonderful trip on your next travelling adventure to China, all the best!

Feel free to leave some additional tips you might have to offer in the comment section below or feel free to ask questions you might have about China, Thank you in advance your for the feedback.

— Dave Brett

Travelling the world, one adventure at a time. Follow the UK's leading solo adventure travel blogger, Dave Brett on his travels around the world. An Adventure travel blog that features travel tips and advice, inspirational stories, travel videos and travel photography that will help you inspire and plan your next trip abroad.

Welcome to Travel Dave – UK Solo Adventure Blog

Travelling the world, one adventure at a time. Follow the UK's leading solo adventure travel blogger Dave Brett on his travels around the world. A globe-trotting adventure travel blog featuring travel tips and advice, exotic stories, travel videos and travel photography that will inspire your next trip abroad, and help you plan it too. To read more, please visit: About Travel Dave Page.